Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

 I have read many entries in Sulari Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair series and very much enjoyed them.  Ms. Gentill created a very full, idiosyncratic world in those novels, peopled by characters with whom I wanted to spend time.

After She Wrote Him was something new for the author and for me as well.  This book is a standalone.  A story about Madeleine and Edward, it is idiosyncratic and unique.  While I admire the risks that the author took in this title, I prefer the Rowly series.  Still, I will always take a look at anything this author writes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: April 7, 2020

This is an absolutely adorable book that is geared toward children in grades K to 2. It is charmingly and amusingly illustrated throughout.
This is a book that encourages children to make choices. For example, children are invited to embark on their adventure…which hero would they like to be? It could be a toddler, a skeleton, a chimney sweep, a goat or there are many others to choose from. Readers then select their clothing, where they will go, what three items they will most need and so the book continues on with choices until the very end.
This title is an update of the choose your own adventure books. It will appeal to little readers and would be a wonderful book to sit down and enjoy with a child that you know.
Especially now when we are stuck at home, give a child you know the gift of adventure. I think that you will both enjoy it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.]

Pub date:  April 7, 2020

 

All light here…women’s fiction and mystery.

I have known Stephen Fry as an actor, having watched an enjoyable series called Kingdom in which he starred.  He is also a man with lots of personality.  More recently, Mr. Fry has turned his hand to writing.  A prior book of his, Mythos, was well received.  Now we have this new book which re-imagines a number of Greek myths.

Eight heroes have their stories told here in a series of short chapters.  The characters are Perseus, Heracles, Bellerophon, Orpheus, Jason, Atalanta, Oedipus and Theseus. Before starting on his tales, Fry includes helpful resources such as maps and a family tree of the Olympians.   There are some helpful entries at the end of the book including a list of characters, monsters, mortals and more.

The book’s introduction sets the tone.  The style is conversational and engaging.  It is written in a present tense. Frye tells his stories well and with a sense of humor.  The text is beautifully illustrated with many paintings.

If you would like to relax and have someone tell you a story, you should enjoy this title.  I am eager to see the print copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  June 2, 2020

This silly story is geared toward children ages 4 to 8. I think that it will appeal most to the younger listeners.
Elephant enjoys having human children as friends. When they want to play hide and seek, of course Elephant agrees. Naturally it is not the best game for someone of his size.
To the rescue come tips from the Elephant Hobby and Sport League purporting to help elephants to succeed at Hide and Seek. This advice leads to adorable and funny illustrations that kids should love.
There is a sweet message of inclusiveness underlying this story. Mostly, though, it is meant to be fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

 

A variety of choices…mystery, historical fiction, women’s fiction and one non-fiction title.  The Barbara Taylor Bradford is a sequel to A Woman of Substance.

poisonedpenbooks.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/bn-apr-20.pdf

I loved this book.  It is funny and has great cartoonish illustrations.  Young reader sleuths will observe as hen panics over her missing egg.  What happened?

Hen and her friends, who are anthropomorphized, all react and have their ways of helping with the case.  The group is not having success so they call in the goat detective.  He has a few problems as he hilariously works to solve the case.  Readers should chuckle over what ensues.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review .

#FarmCrimesCrackingtheCaseoftheMissingEgg #NetGalley

Pub date:  September 15, 2020

Many of us are feeling more contemplative as our world careens out of its usual orbit.  If you are a person who likes to center oneself through taking a thoughtful moment, this book is an excellent resource.  It is exactly as described, a series of short prayers upon which to reflect.  The entries come from many sources; to name just a few there are a Kenyan blessing, Jane Austen, William Penn, Peter and the Psalms.  Take a moment and then return to daily life with the help of this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.